Thirteen-year-old Damon Chen is gearing up for the Fiji Golf Open Championship next month, aiming to make a significant impact in the sport. The Year 8 student at St Teresa Primary School in Ba has shown remarkable talent in the amateur junior golf scene, starting with a victory in the Junior category at the Lautoka Open late last year, followed by several wins at the Ba Golf Club.
Despite his youth, Chen is dedicated to honing his skills on the course, and his father, Chen Jin Shan, a businessman in Ba, plays a vital role in supporting and motivating him. Damon took up golf in Year 6 and has ambitious aspirations to turn professional by Year 11, positioning himself as one of the youngest professional golfers in the country.
“I plan to play professional golf in Year 11 and be one of the youngest professional golfers in the country,” he stated. Balancing his academic responsibilities with his passion for golf poses a challenge, particularly as he prepares for his Fiji Eighth Year Examination. “I normally train every day, but if there’s homework, I’ll focus on that and study for my exams.”
Looking ahead, Damon aims to attend Stanford University and eventually relocate to Australia to pursue a professional golf career.